From London to Paris – capital cities are usually considered the most expensive places to live.
With that in mind a new ranking is challenging that notion by ranking Europe’s most affordable cities to live in.
Bucharest, in Romania, has topped the list – and it’s so gorgeous that it’s also known as “little Paris” due to its Parisian influence and stunning architecture.
Personal finance experts at Finansvalp gathered data from the cost-of-living website Numbeo in order to create their affordability index, which included every European capital city.
Each city was scored out of 100 based on eight factors, which included accommodation, utility, transport and lifestyle costs.
Bucharest, Romania, scored 59.69 out of 100. The research found that each month residents in Bucharest take home £1,098.50 on average after tax and can expect to pay around 34 percent of their income on accommodation.
The monthly cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment outside of the city centre was found to be £375.15 on average.
Each month, residents can expect to spend £164.57 on household bills, as well as £120.69 on lifestyle expenses, which include dining out as well as fitness and travel passes. This means residents are left with around £438.09 each month in disposable income.
The study also revealed the most expensive cities to live in, with London, England, proving to be the costliest for residents, scoring 41.04 out of 100. Those living in the English capital earn £4,169.68 after tax and can expect to pay around 49.5 percent of this for a one-bedroom apartment in the city at an average cost of £2,064.91.
As well as being Romania’s capital, Bucharest is the nation’s biggest, standing on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania.
Its population is officially estimated at 1.76 million residents which makes Bucharest the eighth most populous city in the European Union.
As well as a cheap place to live, it’s also a great city for bargain-hunting Brits to visit.
The team Wizz Air recently recommended the affordable European city for any tourists looking to get away on a cheap flight.
A Wizz Air spokesperson said: “While Romania may seem unassuming as a romantic holiday destination, Bucharest offers much more than meets the eye.”
They added: “You can’t miss out on Bucharest’s spas, the epitome of affordable luxury. Couples can visit the infamous Therme Spa.”
The Therme Spa in Bucharest has saunas, mineral pools and waterslides as well as an indoor botanical garden.
The city’s Old Town is attractive with plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes to hop between on a romantic break.
Bucharest’s top-rated attraction on Tripadvisor is the Stavropoleos Monastery, which was built in 1724.
Travel blogger Erin – who runs website Curiously Erin – said that she was “blown away” by the European city’s grandeur.
She said: “Bucharest is Romania’s capital and largest city.
“It is the most important industrial and economic centre of the country and also one of Europe’s most authentic capitals.
“During the few days, I spent in Bucharest I was completely blown away with its grandeur.”
